Mortimer Surgery PPG Dementia and Mental Health Awareness event

On 26th June Mortimer Surgery Patient Participation Group (PPG) organised an educational event for those suffering from Dementia or caring for people with this condition. The meeting was held in St Johns Hall and attended by 85 guests.

Presentations were given by;

Dr Matt Evans, Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist, (Newbury Older Persons Mental Health Service) who covered “What is Dementia and what we can do about it”;

Sarah Morland, Partnership Manager at Reading Voluntary Action (Working in Partnership with Age UK) who talked about “Social Prescribing - Linking people with Community Organisations for Wellbeing”;

Stephen Hammond, Carer/Support Worker (Carers Hub) Who told us about “Support Available for Unpaid Carers”;

This was followed by a Q&A session from the audience responded to by the speakers.

Copies of these presentations and contact details are on the Mortimer Surgery Web site in the PPG section.

The event was deemed a great success, assisted by members of the Surgery, PPG, MVP, and also our thanks to Panama Systems for providing microphone support.

This event follows a series of presentations for the public organised by the MSPPG with topics covering “Healthy Heart” (and how to have one); Diabetes (living with the condition) “Bereavement” (help with end of life planning and coping with bereavement). All events have outside speakers who are experts in their field, with contributions and support from members of the Mortimer Surgery.

Copies of information leaflets covering all of these events are available from the surgery.

There will be further events held in the future and should you have any suggestions for subjects and content which you would find useful please email the PPG on ppgmortimersurgery@gmail.com or leave a message at the surgery reception.